Planned Fremantle Port strike held off

THE first four days of a planned eight-day strike by maritime workers at busy Fremantle Port has been withdrawn.

The Maritime Union of Australia (MUA) had given notice to the Fremantle Port Authority of the protected industrial action, which was to start at 5:30am (WST) on Sunday.

But Fair Work Australia (FWA) got the parties talking and the union ultimately agreed to withdraw the first four days of the impending stoppage.

Despite 11 months of bargaining, there still remained outstanding matters in the negotiation of two enterprise agreements covering the Port of Fremantle, FWA said late on Friday.

"Fair Work Australia is available to assist in negotiations, but encourages the MUA and the Fremantle Port Authority themselves to conclude its negotiations in good faith and make the best use of the four-day breather," it said.